... but I couldn't resist it! So I hope this, forwarded for your
amusement, will brighten a wintry day. Courtesy of the Admiralty
Librarian.
Jane Wickenden
Historic Collections Librarian
INM
Alverstoke
+44 23 9276 8238
===================
For a few years during the late nineteenth century, a llama was to be
found on the muster of HMS Warspite: it had been given to the ship by a
foreign captain whose life the llama had saved [one wonders how,
exactly]. In his autobiography, Admiral of the Fleet Alfred Ernle
Montacute Chatfield, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff
(1873-1967), writes:
"One day we were having daily prayers on the quarterdeck at 9
am. The Admiral was standing dressed in frockcoat and epaulettes, as he
was just going to visit a foreign man-of-war. While we were singing a
hymn the llama strolled aft through the ship's company. He had a
curious, dignified gait and an enquiring look.
The Master-at-Arms tried to shoo him away in a reverent manner,
but he dodged him and ran right aft until, to everyone's horror, he was
behind the Admiral. Seeing the bright gold epaulettes, which appeared to
him to be some succulent yellow fruit, he slowly approached the Admiral
from behind.
The ship's company, horrified, almost stopped singing.
With his eyes glued to his hymn card and unaware of his danger
the Admiral stood his ground until he felt a sharp pull on his shoulder.
The llama had taken a huge bite and removed several of the tassels from
his left epaulette.
The pastor speedily pronounced the Blessing ..."